almanac

noun

al·​ma·​nac ˈȯl-mə-ˌnak How to pronounce almanac (audio) ˈal- How to pronounce almanac (audio)
1
: a publication containing astronomical and meteorological data for a given year and often including a miscellany of other information
2
: a usually annual publication containing statistical, tabular, and general information

Examples of almanac in a Sentence

an almanac of town news
Recent Examples on the Web For the two regions — Lower Lakes and Ohio Valley — that include the Indianapolis area, snowfall will be above normal, with the snowiest periods occurring in late December through most of January and in mid-February, according to the almanac. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2023 However, a quick glance at an almanac will show that the exact 12-hour split between sunrise and sunset doesn’t occur until Sept. 26. Geoff Chester, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2023 Good to see the farmers’ almanacs are on the same page. Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023 Weather forecasters annually prepare for media requests about the accuracy of almanacs, including The Old Farmer's Almanac, which was founded in 1792 and plans to release its winter forecast on August 29. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2023 Hughes gave her a gift in a blue box and inside was a Pennsylvania almanac. Sarah Title, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2023 The almanac states that one reason for the possible colder-than-normal temperatures is El Niño ― the warming to above-average sea surface temperatures of parts of the Pacific Ocean. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2023 However, the almanac pointed out that its beginning analysis was correct, identifying the freezing storm that swept over Ohio at the end of December 2022, the only severe storm of the season. Zachary Smith, cleveland, 8 Aug. 2023 The farmer's almanacs have made their predictions for the coming fall and winter, calling for a warm autumn and a winter that might leave your teeth chattering. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'almanac.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English almenak, from Medieval Latin almanach, probably from Arabic al-manākh the almanac

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of almanac was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near almanac

Cite this Entry

“Almanac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/almanac. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

almanac

noun
al·​ma·​nac ˈȯl-mə-ˌnak How to pronounce almanac (audio) ˈal- How to pronounce almanac (audio)
: a book containing a calendar of days, weeks, and months and usually facts about the rising and setting of the sun and moon, changes in the tides, and information of general interest

More from Merriam-Webster on almanac

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